Soils for Fine Wines

Robert E. White

In recent years, viticulture has seen phenomenal growth, particularly in such countries as Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa. The surge in production of quality wines in these countries has been built largely on the practice of good enology and investment in high technology in the winery, enabling vintners to produce consistently good, even fine wines. Yet relatively little attention has been paid to the influence of vineyard conditions on wines and their distinctiveness-an influence that is embodied in the French concept of terroir. An essential component of terroir is soil and the interaction between it, local climate, and grape variety on the quality of grapes and distinctiveness of their flavor. This book considers that component, providing basic information on soil properties and behavior in the context of site selection for new vineyards, and on the demands placed on soils for grape growth and production of wines. Soils of Viticulture will be of interest to professors and upper-level students in soils and agronomy as well as wine enthusiasts and professionals in the wine industry.

Soils for Fine Wines

Robert E. White

Description

In recent years, viticulture has seen phenomenal growth, particularly in such countries as Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Chile, and South Africa. The surge in production of quality wines in these countries has been built largely on the practice of good enology and investment in high technology in the winery, enabling vintners to produce consistently good, even fine wines. Yet less attention has been paid to the influence of vineyard conditions on wines and their distinctiveness-an influence that is embodied in the French concept of terroir.

An essential component of terroir is soil and the interaction between it, local climate, vineyard practices, and grape variety on the quality of grapes and distinctiveness of their flavor. This book considers that component, providing basic information on soil properties and behavior in the context of site selection for new vineyards and on the demands placed on soils for grape growth and production of wines.

Soils for Fine Wines will be of interest to professors and upper-level students in enology, viticulture, soils and agronomy as well as wine enthusiasts and professionals in the wine industry.

Soils for Fine Wines

Robert E. White

Table of Contents

1. Soil and the Environment2. The Makeup of Soil3. The Vine Root Habitat4. How the Soil Supplies Nutrients5. Nutrients for Healthy Vines and Good Wines6. Soil-Water-Vine Relationships and Water Management7. Soil Quality in Vineyards8. Site Selection and Soil Preparation9. Soil and WineAppendicesReferencesIndex

Soils for Fine Wines

Robert E. White

Reviews and Awards

"Soils for Fine Wines is a comprehensive soils textbook for viticulturists...It is commendably thorough in approach and is very well written...The author is to be congratulated."--European Journal of Soil Science

"The book is extremely well structured and appropriately illustrated, including a sensible use and arrangement of photographs. It is recommended to both graduate and postgraduate viticultural soil scientists and advisors and winemaking professionals."--Austratial Grape and Wine Research